There's still sports going on right?

As Andre stated, my wife and I have ushered in a brand new citizen into this world. Catalina Matthews Espinoza. She is the cutest thing alive. I know, I know, all parents say that. But she is. We should have a cute-off and see who's baby is cuter. I challenge anybody. I double dog dare you. Above is exhibit A. 'Nuff said. And that was only her 10th cutest pic. I'll save the heavy ammo for a worthy challenger. Especially considering she's only 8 days old. Anyway, back to the rest of the world...

Today, I'd like to just shoot out a free-flowing entry. A little bit written on a few topics. First...

Baseball:

The Mets somehow have adopted the philosophy of, "Ok. We're older than you, so all y'all should give it to us or other people will think you're bullies". Jeff Conine for two minor leaguers? They're both Single A players so you can't say that they gave up too much for him yet, but the guy is 41. If anything, the Mets will lead the league in Arthritis. Meanwhile, the Phillies and Braves are doing some of the dirty work for the Mets since it seems that the Mets can't seem to beat the Braves whenever they are relevant. This will be a race to watch. If anything, I'm pretty sure the Mets are hoping that the Braves don't sneak in as the Wild Card representative and play the Mets in the playoffs.

The Yankees were steam rolling teams after the all-star break and then seemed to have the wheels fall off for a second when they lost 2 of 3 to the Orioles who seem to have the Yanks' number. They rebounded nicely to take 3 of 4 from the Tigers and are about to play the Angels now who are to the Yankees as the Braves are to the Mets. It always sucks to play the Angels, especially when they're on the West Coast. I say West Coast because I refuse to call them the El Lay Angels of Ana----. What kind of ridiculousness is that anyway? BTW, where are all those idiots now who were calling for Cashman's head? This guy has turned around their minor league system ala Gene "Stick" Michael (A nickname I always loved just because of my love for the Daredevil comic book series growing up. Grrr. How I hate Ben Affleck for messing that movie up. Bastardo). He made the Yankees' minor league system go from one of the worst to easily one of the top five in the majors. Unbelievable job. Especially when you consider he did this in a matter of 3 years. GM of the year anyone? This Yankee team is starting to remind me a little of 1998, minus the starting pitching when that team fielded three aces. Giambi is to this team as Darryl Strawberry was to that '98 bench when teams were afraid to bring right handed relief pitching in against the Yanks later in the game. That, coupled with their new and improved bridge to Mariano, is making them seem like they're going to make a big run to the Series.

Boston is shook. Period. Dustin Pedroia doesn't spend the time to say this unless he's shook. Yanks are four behind with more than a month to go and with a big series coming up starting on the 28th of this month. That series and this one starting tonight against the Angels are going to be the real barometers of the rest of their season.

Football:

It seems to now be official: Michael Vick is really, really stupid. According to reports he's going to be pleading guilty and accepting the plea bargain offered him. With his money, if he really were innocent, there is no way that the guy would plead guilty and serve - according to unofficial reports - 18 to 36 months of Federal time. Which is just mind boggling. This guy was on the cover of Madden Football! He was the second best athlete in computer game sports since Bo Jackson! And now he's going to be eating lunch daily with Tony Montana Jr. in a - most likely - medium security Federal Penitentiary? Wow. Dog fighting is ugly and I saw a great piece on it on HBO today - while baby was asleep - and it just made my skin crawl. He did the crime, so now he's got to do the time. It's a sad example of how people blow these guys heads up and then are surprised when it explodes. Don't get me wrong, if some athlete bumps into me in a bar and then just snarls at me, i'm still going to think he's a jerk. However, I do know that he was cultivated and conditioned into becoming that jerk. If you were consistently taught that no matter what you did you would be forgiven because of your physical abilities, you would think you were invincible too. But this was ridiculous man. Pac Man Jones. You better ask somebody. Stop acting the fool and clean up your act.

Music:

I have been listening to two albums for the last couple of weeks. The two latest albums from Pharoahe Monch (Desire) and Common (Finding Forever). If you haven't got your hands on them yet, you MUST GET THEM. They are great. Especially the Common drop. It's littered with great production and tight rhymes. I'm going to post a review of each this week when I have more time. While we're on the topic of Hip Hop; there have been many great artists and albums released in hip-hop over the course of the last 30 plus years. I'm going to start a poll on what you all think are the greatest "debut" albums in hip-hop, ever. Think about it and lets hear the opinions from the Cypher.

For that matter, let's hear the opinions from the Cypher on everything. Especially you all visiting the site from far away places like England. I know you're reading, so leave a comment. They most certainly will be welcomed. By all.